The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-12-10
PEASANT AND KING.
How the Latter Was Made Known
to the Former.

One day in the far-away years of the
sixteenth century, when Paris was not
us third us large nor half as beautiful
rs it is now. and the French court lived
almost half the year at the great hunt
ing chateau of Blois, Il poor peasant
was cutting fagots on the border of n
small forest near the river Loire. lie
was dressed in Il ragged hempen tunic
and had wooden shoes on his feet His
cap was of fur, which he wore alike in
summer and in winter. He was cutting
the wood with Il small Ratchet, laying
the sticks in pile. When he had made
Il pile us large rs he could carry in his
arms, he bound it with green withes
and laid it on the back of his donkey.
which looked quite as forlorn and i'll
kept as its master.
AS he was binding one of the bundles
of fagots upon the animals back, he
was startled by the sound of hoof
strokes near him, and, gazing sharply
around, he saw man approaching
mounted on Il large white horse. The
horseman was a small, thin person,
well advanced in years, whose profile.
once seen, could not be forgotten; a
hooked nose. protruding chin, brow
full of wrinkles. grizzled hair, a short
grizzled beard, and stiff gray mustache,
bristling like Il cats. His alert, up
right carriage bespoke mistaken vigor,
and his clear eye WAS full OF buoyant
life. He was dressed in slashed doub-
let and trunk-hose of black velvet; a
scarlet sash was over his shoulder, a
hat with a long sweeping white plume
on his head, and he wore tall cavalry
boots that came up to his knees.
Some officer of the King guard who
has lost his way" thought the peasant,
as he resumed his labor. perhaps l
can do him benefit. A good turn will
help him, and it won't make my trouble
more"
Meanwhile the stranger was glancing
doubtfully around, and seeing the wood
cutter, accosted him with frank.
hearty voice, that yet had something of
a tone of command.
"Halloa, my friend, can'st tell me
how far it is to the castle, and whether
this road will lead me thither?'
'ENay; your honor has certainly gone
wrong. Blois lies in the opposite direc-
ton, at distance, l should say, of half
a dozen leagues"
al rtoip 7 bod lost
way, but did not suppose had wall
dereG So far in the wrong direction"
said the officer $50 it is near twenty
miles TO the chateau?"
Yes, all of that by the highway"
answered the peasant. "You must fol-
low this path till you come to IL tall
oak, and then take your right till you
come to wood where the road forks,
and you follow the left round big
park"
Il shall certainly lose my way again
if try to followyour directions. And
the horseman shrugged his shoulders
and looked rather grave. "Can you
not guide me to Blois?"
''Nay, can not leave my work."
answered the peasant, lifting his greasy
cap and scratching his head obviously.
Il would cheerfully help your honor,
but my master would not pay me for a
day work when l leave my tasks and
ride off to chatter with one Of the Kings
officers"
so thou knowest me then as belong
ing to the court? Well, my good fell
low, if you will help me you shall not
lose by it. What do you earn dayP"
Sometimes half franc, and other
days twice that. You see it depends
on the weather."
"Well. here's ten-franc piece; so go
with me. You need not lose your morn
ing's work, for if | mistake not, yonder
cot is yours, and our path lies past il"
The poor man demurred no further;
the gold piece the officer had given him
was more money than he could have
earned any other way in a whole fort
night.
"Ah, your honor" said he, wiping a
tear from his eye, you do not know
how much good this money will do me.
l would like to know the name of so
generous a gentleman, so that l and
my wife might bless you in our
prayers"
mo matter about my name, " replied
the stranger with kind smile. you
can pray as well without knowing, and
God will understand whom you mean"
But though the horseman smiled, his
face was very grave and thoughtful as
he noticed the mean and miserable
abode of the poor woodchopper. 1t was
4 small, tumble-down hut of mud and
thatch, and was hardly habitable. The
.woodcutter's wife, pale, sickly looking